What are the Health Benefits of Avocados?

While many people don’t necessarily think of avocados as a healthy food, the fact is that there is a lot of nutrition packed into these small packages. Along with providing a several essential vitamins and minerals, avocados also help the body to absorb more nutrients from other foods as well. Here are just a few of the health benefits associated with avocados.

Avocados are excellent food for the nervous system. Because avocados contain Vitamins A, C and a nice round of the B vitamins, they can help to maintain proper function of neurotransmitters. The preeminence of calcium and magnesium in avocados also help the body to calm and aid in achieving recuperative sleep, something that is necessary for the nervous system to function at peak efficiency.

Related to the health benefits associated with the nervous system, avocados also promote heart health in several different ways. The presence of potassium, folic acid and monosaturated fatty acids help to lower bad cholesterol levels and thus minimize the chances of having a heart attack. Along with the monosaturates, avocados also contain a decent amount of Vitamin E and gluthathione, which helps in preventing various types of heart disease as well as slowly down the aging process.

While many people consider the fat content of avocados to be somewhat high, it is important to note that the seven different fatty acids present include Omega 3 and 6. Both these fatty acids provide much needed energy while also helping to lower bad cholesterol levels. When coupled with the various B vitamins and the iron content found in avocados, it is possible to absorb more of the carnitine from red meats, which also aids in the proper utilization of fats and helps to keep triglyceride levels in check.

The eyes can also benefit from enjoying avocados from time to time. This fruit has more lutein than most other types of fruits, making it an ideal choice for naturally protecting the eyes from such health issues as the development of cataracts and macular degeneration. When included as part of a balanced diet, the lutein content of avocados can help minimize the chances for developing several different vision problems as the individual grows older, making it possible to enjoy excellent eyesight for more years.

Avocados also have a reputation as a cancer fighter. Regular consumption of the fruit can help reduce the chances for developing prostate cancer in men as well as breast cancer in men and women. There is also some evidence that avocados can help reduce the potential for developing oral cancer as well. While not seen as a cure for cancer, avocados can be considered a smart food option that helps to lower the risks of dealing with cancer later in life.

With so many nutrients present, it simply makes sense to include avocados in the diet from time to time. Whether halved and scooped from the peel or made into a dip, avocados are an excellent food option.